Programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Libya

Content

MENASource

Mar 25, 2014

For Democracy: An Everyday Approach to Citizens

By Amr Hamzawy

In order for the forces defending freedoms, human rights, and the democratic transition to move beyond the weak position they now find themselves in, they must develop a realistic social and economic plan. Similarly, it is essential for them to take a grounded approach to citizens’ priorities, demands, and concerns—as a result, building citizens’ confidence […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

International Community Slams Death Sentence for 529 Morsi Supporters [Update]

By Daniel Stoker

An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced 529 supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi to death for an assault on a Minya police station that left a senior police officer dead. The attack on the police stations occurred shortly after security forces cleared two large pro-Morsi sit-ins on August 14. Said Youssef, the head of the […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

The Week in Egypt – March 24, 2014

By Daniel Stoker

Catch up on the latest out of Egypt every week, with analysis, news updates, photos, videos, and more.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

Social Bonds Hold Libya Together, But Stronger Political Bonds Needed to Prosper

By Fadel Lamen

Recent foreign reporting of Libya would suggest that we are on the brink of a civil war. The departure of Prime Minister Zeidan, the inability of the central government to prevent the escape of a mystery oil tanker laden with Libyan oil, the fighting in Sirte: taken together, these portend, in the eyes of outside […]

Libya

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

The Army’s Miracle Cure: Today’s Joke, Tomorrow’s Tragedy

By Mohamed El Dahshan

It was not a cruel joke, and it appears the tragedy endures: on March 23, the Egyptian army’s research unit posted on its Facebook page a link to an online Google spreadsheet, titled “Registration form for Virus C and HIV/AIDS Patient”, for those wishing to book an appointment for treatment. A few hours later, the […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 24, 2014

Addressing Youth Unemployment in Tunisia

By Svetlana Milbert

Three years after Tunisian youth lead an uprising that brought down Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s autocratic regime and triggered political transitions across the Arab world, they remain economically marginalized with limited socioeconomic opportunities. While the uprising afforded new civil liberties for all Tunisians, persistent high youth unemployment threatens to derail progress.

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 20, 2014

The Road to Presidential Elections

By EgyptSource

With Egypt’s second presidential elections in two years expected to take place within as many months, the electoral law, possible candidates, and the final results, have been mired in controversy. Keeping tabs on the process, EgyptSource will be providing periodic updates on the latest news coming out of the Egyptian elections process. 

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Mar 19, 2014

This is Egypt: New Voices, Untold Stories [Video]

By Daniel Stoker

Since January 25 2011, the Egyptian political scene has been dominated by a war of narratives each defining Egypt on its own terms and each claiming to represent the people. Chants of “bread, freedom, and social justice,” heard during the early days of revolutionary fervor were later replaced by “the army and the people are […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 19, 2014

Egypt’s Elite and an End to a Call for Democracy

By Amr Hamzawy

My mind is still bewildered as I try to explain why Egypt’s elite have ceased calling for democracy and adherence to its procedures.  I try to understand how they accept (sometimes silently) violations of human rights and freedoms and a renewal of the authoritarian, subjugating nature of the government’s relationship to society and citizens. Here, […]

North Africa

MENASource

Mar 18, 2014

Taking a Back Seat as a New Generation Emerges

By Sarah El Sirgany

“In prison, a woman guard stripped us naked for the search. She put her hand where she wanted. Those who objected or cried were searched again. She told us, ‘You brought this on yourselves and now I have to search you again’,” Salsabeel El Gharbawy, a 20-year-old Al-Azhar student told me in a hushed voice […]

North Africa

Experts